Grand Canyon Times

The City of Mesa has been awarded a $1.06 million Water Conservation Grant Fund Award by Arizona's Water Infrastructure Authority (WIFA). The grant will be used to remove non-functional turf at approximately 50 parks and basins in Mesa.

Under this project, a 6-foot strip of turf adjacent to infrastructure, such as block walls, will be replaced with landscape rock and cement curbing at each selected location. This initiative supports Mesa's Climate Action Plan goals and the city's commitment to water stewardship and reducing water usage.

Mesa Mayor John Giles emphasized the importance of responsible water management, stating, "Being responsible stewards of our water resources is an important aspect of futureproofing Mesa. We live in the desert, and how we plan our landscape impacts our water conservation goals."

The non-functional turf removal project is expected to save over five million gallons of water annually, significantly reducing the need for irrigation and mowing at the selected parks. Additionally, the city anticipates a decrease in complaints and damages to infrastructure.

Andrea Moore, the director of the Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities Department, expressed her excitement about the WIFA grant, saying, "We are thrilled to receive this WIFA grant as it allows us to remove approximately five acres of non-functional turf in our parks. The savings will help us manage our water resources in the most efficient way possible."

The parks chosen for this project are primarily located in Mesa areas served by Colorado River water, which is the focus of WIFA's grant program. By removing non-functional turf, the project reduces the use of existing water supplies, promotes water security, and helps decrease energy consumption associated with water pumping and treatment.

The project is expected to commence in the summer of 2024, with an anticipated completion date in early 2026. The City of Mesa is committed to its strategic priorities of a Sustainable Environment and Neighborhoods and Placemaking, and this project aligns perfectly with those goals.